The illegal-exploitation of natural resources across Africa's Great Lakes region by armed groups is an "economic lifeline" that needs to be cut. That's according to UN chief Ban Ki-moon, briefing a UN Security Council debate on peace and security in the region. The Great Lakes area consists of four countries in East and Central Africa. He said that there had been a "sharp increase" in ethnic and communal-based violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which required the "urgent attention" of the international community. Matthew Wells reports.

The humanitarian situation in the besieged Yemeni city of Taizz has been described as "serious" by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The agency said 13 of its trucks laden with blankets, mattresses and other relief items arrived there on Sunday after being blocked over the last nine months. A year-long conflict between government forces and Houthi rebels has devastated the country, leaving some 80 per cent of the population in need of relief assistance. Basma Baghall has been speaking with UNHCR's Mogib Hassan who's based in the region.

Families on the move from Haro Huba kabele in central Ethiopia in search of grazing land and water. Photo: UNICEF/Mulugeta Ayene

Weather extremes are planet's way of raising alarm: UN

The record-breaking weather phenomena that marked 2015 show every sign of continuing this year with more adverse effects on people and the planet, the UN said this week. In its latest climate report, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) identified many worrying indicators, from unprecedented temperatures, unabated ocean warming and shrinking sea ice. Janie Cangelosi reports.